Arm for individual suspension



Feb. 6, 194D.

J. w. LEIGHTQN ARM FORA INDIVIDUAL SUSPENSION 5 sheets-sneet 1 Filed Nov. 23, 1937 '1N VENTO/e Feb. 6, 1940. J. w. LEIGHTON ARM FOR INDIVIDUAL SUSPENSION Filed Nov. 23, 1937 3 Shets-Sheet 2 z a WM, 7M J Feb. 6, 1940. '.l. w. LElGHToN 2,189,651

ARM FOR INDIVIDUAL SUSPENSION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 23, 1957 [NVENTOR l TTORNEYS- Patented Feb. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT o1-"Fics -f 2,189,651 4ARM lFOR INDIVIDUAL SUSPENSION John W. Leighton, Port Huron, Mich. Application November 23, 1937, ySerial No. 176,087

15 claims. rotem- 20) j 'I'he invention relates generally to motor vehicles and it has particular relation to individual springing connecting the wheels to the frame of the vehicle.

One object ofthe invention is to provide an y assembled easily and inexpensively.

W Another object of the invention is to provide a simple way of connecting two arm members together forming part of an individual springing and at the same time providing a means for y, connecting a shock absorber thereto.

T5 Another object of the invention is to provide an improved arm arrangement wherein the arm arrangement is pivotally connected to the frame by means of a'threader bearing which is inexpensive to manufacture, assemble .and` connect 50 to the frame.

vAnother object of theinvention is to provide improvements in individual springing for the purpose of providinga simple and eilicient rubber connection between the arm and the frame.

5 Another object of the invention is to provide simple and eincient methods of assembling the arms of an individual springing wherein threaded bearings are employed, which will avoid binding in the threads.

l Other objects of the inventionwill become apparent from the following specification, from the drawings to which it relates, and from the claims hereinafter set forth. f

Fora better understanding of the invention, reference may bev had4 to thek accompanying drawings, wherein: I v Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating an arm arra gement in an individual spring as constructed according to one form of the invention: l Fig. 2 is a plan view of the construction shown by Fig. 1 with certain parts shown in crosssection;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another form of the invention; I

Fig. 4 likewise is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating still another form of the invention;

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary elevational and plan views of still another form of the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a modified manner of securing a tubular member to the vehicle frame.

Figs. 8 and 9 are plan and elevational views illustrating a diierent upper arrangement;

Fig. 10 is a view illustrating a method employed n manufacturing the assembly shown by Fig. 8

so as to facilitate assembly and avoidbinding in the threading bearings. f

Referring to' Fig. f1, the frame ofthe vehicle is indicated at I0, a wheel mounting member at H, `and an arm arrangement or linkage connect- 6 ing the wheel mounting member toV the frame is indicated at I2. Ordinarily, a second Larm or linkage is` pivoted to the frame below the arrangement shown by Fig. 1 and this second link-V A age is pivotally connected to the lower end of the A10' wheel mounting member' II. It will be understood that an axle assembly projects laterally from the wheel mounting member and that the wheel is journalled on the axle. Alsoit will be understood that a coil spring will be provided l5' between a portion of the frame vand the lower linkage so that the frame is resiliently supported. Now referring to Fig. 2, the arm rarrangement comprises an arm I 4 having an inner offset and threaded endl I6. A second arm Il of the arm arrangement or linkage and klikewise has an offset threadedinner end I8 butthe outer end of this "arm is rigidly connected to the arm M by means of a bolt that isthreaded through. openings in both arms. abutting the outer side of `arm I4 and an outer trunnionportion 23 connected to an eye portion 24 offa shock absorber 25. Rubber bushings 26 are disposed between the eye portion 24 and thetrunnion 23 and the assembly is heldv in position 30.' by means of a washer 2l and a nut 28 on the bolt.I The threaded portion of the bolt 20 `extending through the openings in arms I4 and I1 has three portions'A,'B, and C of different vpitch diameters, the portion A being slightly smaller I6v than B, and the portion B slightly smaller than C. As to the openings in the arms,y Ithe threaded opening in arm I1 is slightly smaller than that in arm M and the relation of the threaded bolt thereto is such that part A will freely thread of through opening in arm I'l,y part B willthread. freely throughy arm I4 but become tightly-engaged in the-opening in ann I1, and part C will become tightly engaged in the opening in armv I4. The bolt is turned to the position shown by using hlarge turning forces and nally is locked in the openings. The offset outer end Ilifcfy the arm Ill has pivotalthreaded engagement with abush ing 3U and this bushing is adjustably clamped in the upper end of the wheel mounting member i II by means of a bolt `3|.l It will be noted that the bushing 30 is of eccentric character so as to provide for camber adjustments. The arm I'I at its outer end is upset and flattened to provide a projection 32 adapted for engagement with'a. 55;

forms part f 20 I This bolt has a head 2| 85 rubber buffer 33 on the vehicle frame so as to resiliently limit relative movement of the frame and arm.

For pivotally securing or connecting the arms I4 and il to the frame iii, a tubular member 34 is provided which is internally threaded at opposite ends for engaging the threaded ends I5 and I8 of the arms. It will be understood that the arms and tubular member Sil oscillate relatively during up and down movement of the frame I0 and that the relative turning movement occurs about threaded bearings. Bolts 35 passing vertically through openings in the tubular member and frame l@ secure the tubular member to the latter, and cylindrical spacers 36 tting the member @il may be used between the latter and the ira-me and the head on the bolt. Lubricant such grease is injected into the threaded bearing and between the threaded surfaces through openings 3l in the threaded portions l5 and I8 oi the arms and each arm at the outer end of said opening is provided with a grease fitting 38. Next to each bolt a disc .i5 is closely fitted in the tubular member such as by a press t and this fit serves to provide an end wall for the grease receptacle and to cause the grease to be forced reversely between the threaded surfaces. Likewise, these discs prevent lubricant from being forced out of the tubular member along the bolts. Rubber sealing members ll are provided at the ends of the tubular member and it will be noted that a washer L32 engages the outer side of this sealing member and that the arm is upset as indicated at t3 so as to provide a desirable means for maintaining pressure against the rubber sealing During the necessary oscillatory movement of the arni with respect to the tubular member, it will be understood that the rubber sealing member is always in engagement with the end of the tubular member and the Washer 42, although the sealing member is under more compression at one end of the oscillatory movement as compared to the degree of compression at the other end of the oscillatory movement.

The arms are assembled with the tubular member by threading each arm into the end of the tubular member separately until they are in the desired threaded position and then the openings .in both arms for receiving the pin 2E) are threaded. It will be appreciated that with the threaded ends l5 and i8 in position in the tubular member, threading oi the opening in the arms for receiving the pin 2e causes the threads to be so formed that when the bolt 2% is threaded into l the openings there is no tendency to move either arm longitudinally of the bolt.

In the construction shown by 3, arms 45 and :'16 are provided which generally are arranged similarly to the arms lil and i1 but in this case the arm i5 has a trunnion portion 47 which extends through an opening in the intermediate portion of arm 5 and is locked thereto by means of an upsethead t3 on the arm and a nut di). Outwardly oi the nut 1G the trunnion 4'! has a cylindrical portion 5d that is engaged with the arm portion 'ill of a shock absorber such as that already described and a nut 5l outwardly of' the arm portion 243 maintains the shock absorber in position. In this ease the buffer engaging clem-ent comprises a projection E2 on arm 5 formed by upsetting the metal.

The inner ends of the arms are provided with smooth trunnion portions 5t and 55 that proies' intorthe ends oi a tubular member 5@ which is similar to the tubular member 3d except that it is not threaded at the ends. Rubber bushings 5l surround the trunnion portions 54 and 55 and may be vulcanized in place, or the rubber may be merely under compression. It will be noted in this case that while the washers 4G are provided, they are not to prevent lubricant or grease from escaping but are to limit the position of the rubber bushings. oscillatory movement ol the arms and the tubular member relatively in this case occurs through the rubber bushing as the bushings themselves would not turn ordinarly but will be maintained in Contact with the surfaces oi' the trunnions and the tubular member.

In the construction shown by Fig. e arms GC! and Ei are provided and these are connected to the frame in the same manner as shown and described with respect to Fig. 3. The intermediate portions of the arm, however, are connected differently and in this case a pin E?. passes through openings in both arms and is locked thereto by means of a nut 63 on one end and an intermediate upset portion 64 engaging, respectively, the outer sides of the arms. An element B5 is disposed between the arms and has an opening through which the bolt passes, and this element has an upset outer end 56 for en gaging the rubber buffer 33. It will be noted that the outer end of the arm f5 is upset as indicated at El and engages the buffer engaging portion GS.

Outwardly of the head l on the bolt, the. shoot: absorber is mounted on the bolt in the saine manner as previously described. It may be noted in this case that the bolt is serrated, as indicated 58, so as to lock it tightly in place and prevent turning as relative oscillatory movement of the shock absorber and the arms occur.

In the arrangement shown by Figs. 5 and G. arms 1S and il are provided and the arm 'il has a trunnion portion l2 which exten-.ds through the arm 'Hl and is locked thereto and connected t-o a shock absorber similarly to the manner described in connection with Fig. 3. In this case, the buffer engaging element is separate from the arm 'lll and is fastened on the trunnion portion l2 and has a projection 'f3 for engaging the buier 33, it being appreciated that this projection lies under the portion of the arm 'lil so as to abut the same. The connection between the arm 'l0 and the arm. Il and the frame is the same as that shown by Fig. 4.

In Fig. '7, the tubular member which may be the tubular member of any ci the previously described ,structures is secured to the frame by av bracket 8G at each end and each bracket is bolted to the frame on each side of the member. een bracket has a curved portion 8i tting the tubular member and is locked thereto so as to prevent rotation of the tubular member by a portion i12 pressed into an opening 83 in the tubular member.

It may be noted generally in connection with Figs. 2, 3 and 4, that the oiset inner end and outer end of the longer arm extend in the same direction, whereas in the case of the longer arm shown by Figs. 5 and 6, the offset threaded outer end of the longer arm is turned oppositely to the offset' inner end. It will be appreciated also that the shorter arm reinforces the longer arm and that the shape ofthe arms and the offset portions thereof provide for great strength and rigidity without requiring an expensive device or assembly. It will also be noted from the side elevational views that the shape of the arms is such as to provide increased strength laterally.

The construction shown by Figs. 8 and 9 is like that shown by Fig. 2 with certain exceptions. In

' facesSl and 93 of the arms 90 and 9! adjacent ,are riveted, together in' contact by a rivet l Again, therfinnerA ends setting the;rivet` the .arms are -pulled'into con.

tact. The t betweenthe arms is vaccomplished inthe followingmanner.: f

` face 93 when'the table Firstthe arm Sil`r is assembled withthe bushing Ell-.and thearm and bushingy are -then xedin position. by releasable jig iixturesilt'` fastened on a slidable tablehaving a ment.. .Then arm Si is brought toapproximately its desired position by rotating it to thread its trunnion '93 into the end of the bushing. It is possible'in certain instance'swthat the arms iinally would swing into a .position wherethe surfaces Sl Aand .98 :would accurately come into contact but usually turning of the arm Ell would na'lly result in itv striking arm QG andwhile the arms could be sprungapart a slight amount to permit the surface @8 to slide over surface 9?, this would put spring' pressure in the arms and which in turn. would: putbending pressure on the threads; After' arm Si strikes arm 9d, it is reversely turned' a l locked inposition` by'an'v expanding .mandrel 9:9 that engages thev portionof aturn and then it is rivet opening in the arm andixesit in position on the table. Then the table is moved'past a grinding Wheel 10! `which grinds surface .S8 suiliciently that 'when arm 9i is 4released from the mandrel, it may be turneolto bring surfacesi91 and-'98 into accurate-and iiush' contact. It- `is apparent that the positionsof the jig iixtures,` mandrel and -grindingwheel may be so. determined that the desired `amount .of metal will .beground from surmo'ves past the grinding wheel. j

Following-the mating'of surfaces 91 and 98, the arms are riveted as indicated previously.

All of the constructions are simple and may be assembled very readily. Moreover, the arms can be manufactured inexpensively from barstock by sequential and eilicient operations. Once yassemb-led, the parts cannot be disassembled by oscillatory movement, thereby insuring safety in use. While all of the constructions illustrated relate to upper arm arrangements or linkages, it will be understood that the same arrangements may be applicable to the lower linkage if desired.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated andvdescribed in detail, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that various modications may be made without departing from the'scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination in a'motor vehicle wheel suspension, a frame, a pair of arms having oflset inner and threaded ends aligned axially, threaded bearing means on the frame receiving such rnember thereto, 'and means tion.

andhthr'eaded as will Ibe.

.definite path of move-l to provide a shock absorber vide trunnions 'disposed .in

. arms projecting laterally of arms projecting laterally porting a wheel mounting'rnember and having suspension, a frame,

` 2. In combination in a motor lvehicle Wheely suspension, a frame, a

3. In combination in a motorvehicle Wheel suspension, a frame, ia .pair of armshaving their innert ends pivotally connected :to the frame, means pivotallyconnecting the outer end of one ofthe .arms `to a wheel mounting member, the otherI arm having its'outer end extending through an opening in saidone arm, andV means locking suchend to the latter.

4. In combination. Iin a motor vehicle wheel suspension, a frame', a pair of 4arms having their inner: endsz'pivotally connectedto the frame, means pivotally connecting the outerv end of one of the arms to a wheel mountingmember, the other arm having itsouter end extending through an opening in said one arm and beyond the latter connecting trunnion, and means locking said end to said one arm.

"5. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame, arms projectinglaterallyy of the frame for supportinga wheel mounting memberv and having their inner ends oifset towards each other to proaxial alignment, a tubular member havingits ends respectively receiving the oiset `ends of the arms, lrubber between the offset ends of the arms andthe Wall of the Atubularv member for providing a resilient bearing engagement, bolts passing lthrough the tubular member for .fastening it tothe frame, and

a washer'inI the tubular member between each bolt and the end of the v rubber surrounded oifset endofthe arm-adjacent thereto.

.6..In combination, ya vehicle chassis frame, the iframe for supporting a wheel mounting member and having their inner ends onset towards each other to provide trunnions disposed in axial alignment, a tubular member'having its ends respectively re# ceiving the'oiset ends of ythe-annesso as-to provide a bearing for 4such ends, `bolts passing v through the tubular member between the offset ends of the arms, for fastening the'tubular member to the frame, means for injecting lubricant between the bearing surfaces, and lubricant sealing means between the bolts and such bearings. 7. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame.

ofthe frame for suptheir inner ends offset towards each other to ceiving the offset ends of the arms to provide bearings for the latter, and means including an axial opening in such onset yends and extending to the arm surface externally of the tubular member for injectin lubricant to the bearing surfaces.

8. In combination in a motorA vehicle Wheel an arm projecting laterally from the frame and'having its inner end offset longitudinally of the frame, a wheel mounting member connected to the outer end of the arm, and means pivotally connecting the inner offset end of the arm to the frame including a tubular ybearing element receiving the oiiset end of the arm and a vbolt element passing transversely l stantially, rubber between through the tubular element and securing it to the frame.

9. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame, wheel mounting means including arm portions projecting laterally from the frame and having their inner ends bent to provide short, axially aligned but axially spaced trunnons, a relatively long tubular member into the opposite ends of Winch the trunnions project respectively, with the inner ends of the trunnions spaced substantially, and means for securing the tubular member to the chassis frame.

10. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame, wheel mounting means including arm portions projecting laterally from the frame and having their inner ends bent towards each other to provide short, axially aligned but axially spaced trunnions, a relatively long tubular member into the opposite ends of which the trunnions project respectively, vwith the inner ends of said trunnions spaced substantially, said trunnions having external threads and the tubular member having internal threads engaging the threads on the trunnions so as to provide threaded bearings, and means for securing the tubular member to the chassis frame.

1l. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame, wheel mounting means including arm portions projecting laterally from the frame and having their inner ends bent to provide short, axially aligned but axially spaced trunnions, a relatively long tubular member into the opposite ends of which the trunnons project respectively, With the inner ends of the trunnions spaced subthe oiset ends of the arms and the wall of the tubular member for providing a resilient bearing engagement, means at the inner end of each trunnion and forming a transverse Wall in the tubular member for axially coniining the rubber,l and means for securing the tubular member to the frame.

12. In combination, a vehicle chassis frame, Wheel mounting means including arm portions projecting laterally from the frame and having their inner ends bent to provide short, axially aligned but axially spaced trunnions, a relatively long tubular member into the opposite ends of which the trunnions project respectively, with the inner ends of the trunnions spaced substantially, and means located axially between the trunnions and extending diametrically through the tubular member for securing the latter to the frame.

13. In combination in a motor vehicle wheel suspension, a frame, a pair of arms having their inner ends oiset or bent to provide axially aligned trunnions that are substantially separated in the axial direction, a unitary member fastened to the frame and'having spaced apertured portions receiving the trunnions respectively, means on one of the arms for connecting it to a wheel support, and means interconnecting the arms between the Wheel support and the unitary member so that the arms act as a unit.

14. In combination in a motor vehicle wheel suspension, a frame, a wheel support, an arm having parallel offset ends forming trunnlons, a second and shorter arm having an offset trunnion end axially aligned with one trunnion of the nrst arm but spaced axially a substantial distance therefrom, means pivotally connecting said aligned trunnions to the frame, means connecting the arms substantially at the center of the rst arrn with the portions of the arms between their point of interconnection and the connections onthe frame being substantially V shape, and means providing a trunnion for connection with a sho-ck absorber substantially at the center of the iirst arm, the outer portion of the first arm outwardly of the interconnection vbetween the arms being deflected or bent downwardly at a substantial angle to the inner part of such arm, said first arm between the frame and Wheel support being directed in a direction generally diagonal to the pivotal axis of the connections at the opposite ends of the arms.

l5. In an individual suspension, a tubular member adapted to be fastened to the vehicle frame and to have an oscillatory arm element journalled therein, said tubular member comprising steel bar stock polygonal in cross-section and which is bored to provide the journal opening, the shape of the member adapting the sides thereof to vbe fitted against dat surfaces on the frame.

JOHN W. LEIGHTON. 

